• No Theo Walcott who appears to lose out to the experience of Shaun Wright-Phillips. Few would have predicted that earlier this year.

• Tom Huddlestone and Scott Parker’s departure from the 30-man suggest that Gareth Barry is progressing well. Michael Carrick is the only “true” cover for Barry. Both Huddlestone and Parker are just too slow for the international game.

• No Adam Johnson. With Lampard, Gerrard, and Milner able to play on the left-t0-mid flank it suggests England’s formation will look very similar to the how the States lined up on Saturday. *Joe Cole, will be Dempsey-like (and perhaps more dangerous) in-cutting from that left side if he gets the shot. Milner is a lefty.

• Ledley King is that good. Warnock proves steady and Leighton Baines ripped up his ticket against Mexico. Jamie Carragher was not coming out of retirement to get cut.

• There is no truth to the rumor that Capello hastily tried to nationalize Manuel Almunia before naming his keepers. (Kidding)